FORTUNA runners Week Ending 27th October
Fortuna horses racing this week are JET SET on debut at Waipukurau Thursday, HIDDEN PROMISE Friday evening Singapore, last start winner OUR RIVER DANCER at Penang on Saturday, SECRET SPICE and EATONS GOLD at Penang on Sunday
Fortuna’s OUR RIVER DANCER wins again in Malaysia
The 8yo grey gelding, OUR RIVER DANCER (Danehill Dancer-Distinctly), showed his younger rivals that he still has a bit to offer when taking out the Class 5 1100 metre event at the Perak Turf Club in Malaysia Sunday 20th October. Relishing the wet track “Hunter” as he is nicknamed, sped to the lead in the hands of Senior rider, S Salee and while headed briefly in the last 200 metres, fought back to win by a head over the fast finishing Butch Cassidy, who was also racing in the Fortuna NZ Stable colours.
Click HERE to see Race Video Replay
OUR RIVER DANCER returning to scale with victorious rider, S Salee, aboard
Fortuna Director John Galvin comments, “That was fun to watch – give this horse a wet track and the lead and he is very difficult to beat. He is as tough as they come and has been a great servant for his loyal group of owners.”
OUR RIVER DANCER, who boasts a stout European pedigree (by Danehill Dancer out of Distinctly – by Sadlers Wells) has now had seven career wins, two in Singapore (trained by Mark Walker) and five in Malaysia (trained by Sharee Hamilton). He was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Ltd at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale for the sum of NZ$105,000 and is raced by a NZ based Syndicate of nineteen individuals.
Fortuna makes new acquisition for Singapore Racing
Fortuna has secured the successful Sydney four year old galloper, RED ROVER, and he will now be sent to Singapore to race in the care of Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker.
RED ROVER winning at Rosehill Gardens – Sydney 2nd April 2018
RED ROVER is beautifully bred, he is by the Champion racehorse and Stallion, O’REILLY out of the successful racemare, PIN UP.
RED ROVER has had three starts in New South Wales for one win (Rosehill) and a third placing and presents as a strong sprinting type who will be set for the major sprint races in Singapore
Shares are available in RED ROVER at NZ$650 per 1% share and NZ$34 per month ongoing costs from 1st January 2019
Watch RED ROVER winning at Rosehill Here
Subscribe for Shares in Red Rover Here
Fortuna Submissions on the Messara report
John Galvin, Director of Fortuna Ltd, has made a submission to the NZ Government (Department of Internal Affairs) on the Messara report on New Zealand Racing. Click on link below to read this submission
Submission to the Department of Internal Affairs from Fortuna Ltd
Click HERE to access the full Messara report
Two from Two for Fortuna’s METEORIC LASS
A debut winner in May, Meteoric Lass (4yo Mare by Stratum out of Benatar) made it two from two with a fresh-up victory in the $10,000 Higgins Taupo Rating 65 1200 metres on 10 October at Taupo.
Similarly to her win over 1200 metres at Waipukurau, Shafiq had Meteoric Lass travelling sweetly in second before slipping clear to a handy advantage at the 400m, as the leader ran wide, and she required little more than a hand ride to hold the closer, Motivation (Bosson), over the concluding stages.
“She jumped well and travelled very strongly and the last 300m when I asked her to go she just took off,” Shafiq said.
On footing rated Good2, that had a good sole of grass and drew ‘happy’ comments from riders throughout the day, Meteoric Lass ran the 1200 metres in 1:09.7, last 600m in 34.8, and paid $3.30 & $1.60 on NZ TAB tote.
Click HERE to see Race Replay Video
Meteoric Lass – Win No 2 – Taupo 10th October 2018
The fifth individual winner from Benatar, and sister to dual stakes winner Meteoroid (Northern Meteor), scoring eight times over 1200m/1400m in Australia, Meteoric Lass was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $50,000 on behalf of Fortuna at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Kitchwin Hills, and is raced by the Fortuna Meteoric Lass Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), an ownership group of 36 individuals.
“She has been a bit slow to mature, but at the end of day she is a hell of a nice horse and as always David (Ellis) has done a good job in selecting a nice horse for us, within our budget range,” Galvin said.
“We were a little nervous about the track with it being a Good 2, but she had worked very well over the past week and Jamie (Richards) kept saying that she is getting stronger and stronger, all the time.”
It was win number 23 this season for Richards, including five stakes victories, at a strike rate of 3.3, and gives him a seven win buffer early on in the 2018-19 trainers premiership.
“You can’t do better than win races and Jamie is certainly flying,” Galvin said. “Fortuna has had five runners so far this season with Te Akau, winning four and a second, and Suppy (Shafiq) in his time here (since March) has ridden seven horses for Fortuna, with six wins and a second. So we’re making a great team: selector, syndicator, trainer, and jockey.
“It’s always good to win a race at Taupo. Darci’s Dream won here for us on her way to winning the Canterbury Belle Stakes, and another nice horse, Prince Henry won here as well as one of the very first horses we ever syndicated, Volkarrie.”
In other quite phenomenal stats, owners in Meteoric Lass and great supporters of Te Akau, Mick & Wendy Willock celebrated their sixth winner in a row: two with Meteoric Lass, two with Swing Note (Encosta De Lago), Grand Ariana (Snitzel), and Queen of The Air (I Am Invincible).
Stable representative Teina Walters said, post race: “We’ve had quite a good opinion of her and Shafiq gave her a pearl of a ride. We’re very happy for the owners and quite a few have popped out to see her, so we’re thrilled.
“She had trialled well, now starting to work things out and I think she’ll make into a pretty handy mare.
“It was also a great run by Motivation. The last 200m was obviously very promising and he’s a progressive type that can hopefully go on with it, as well. He can only improve from here, as he steps up in distance, and it was a great ride from off the pace by Opie.
“John (Galvin) and Fortuna has been a long time supporter of Te Akau. It’s good to see their colours get over the line and win and we are very happy for the team.”
Meteoric Lass was strapped by Teina Walters.
MELODY BELLE brilliant Victory in Group One Windsor Park Plate
MELODY BELLE – Windsor Park Plate – Hastings 22nd September
MELODY BELLE brilliant in Windsor Park Plate – now highest rated galloper racing in NZ
Sometimes on a racecourse a horse stands out, puts their hands up as the one to beat, and Melody Belle (4 m Commands – Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) was just that horse prior to winning the weight-for-age $200,000 Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday 22 September at Hastings.
Sure, having won the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400 metres) on the same course three weeks earlier, after resuming with win in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) at Te Rapa, plus being $3.40 & $1.70 on the tote, were all pointers in her favour, but it was also the pristine condition in which she paraded and immediate focus as she commenced her preliminary that spelled doom for her opponents.
And what a win: easing down after pulling three lengths clear inside the final furlong to eventually win by a 1 ¾ lengths.
An inch perfect ride from Malaysian born jockey Shafiq Rusof saw him use the Commands four-year-old’s early gas from the number one barrier draw to position beautifully on the fence behind a strong speed set by pacemakers Contessa Vanessa and Sensible Princess.
Sure, having won the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400 metres) on the same course three weeks earlier, after resuming with win in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 2, 1200m) at Te Rapa, plus being $3.40 & $1.70 on the tote, were all pointers in her favour, but it was also the pristine condition in which she paraded and immediate focus as she commenced her preliminary that spelled doom for her opponents.
And what a win: easing down after pulling three lengths clear inside the final furlong to eventually win by a 1 ¾ lengths.
An inch perfect ride from Malaysian born jockey Shafiq Rusof saw him use the Commands four-year-old’s early gas from the number one barrier draw to position beautifully on the fence behind a strong speed set by pacemakers Contessa Vanessa and Sensible Princess.
Approaching the turn Rusof was giggling to himself as he peeled off heels to issue his challenge with the majority of the mare’s rivals struggling to make ground at a crucial stage of the race. Sent for home Melody Belle quickly established a winning break before coasting to the line to score by over two lengths from Savvy Coup, Wyndspelle and Seventh Up who all chased gamely but to no avail.
Click HERE see Race Video replay“She means a lot to me now that’s she won two Group Ones for me,” Shafiq said. “All the speed came from wide out and I just got into my spot. She travelled well and couldn’t have been better. I hadn’t done anything on her and she travelled very strongly. I didn’t ask her to do anything, but when I brought her out she sprinted and found the line very well.
Victorious rider Shafiq Rusof aboard Melody Belle
On Good3 footing, Melody Belle ran the 1600 metres in 1:35.3.
“She’s terrific isn’t she,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “Barriers win races and very important today. Lovely ride Shafiq again, but she’d trained on beautifully, and a big thank you to the team at home that takes such good care of her. Honestly, it’s outstanding.
“With a mare like her, it’s quite something to see her grow in confidence like she has just lately. Whichever you look at it, that was impressive.”
“She came into this race at the top of her game, she had trained on beautifully from her win here three weeks ago.
“She loves it. She knows she’s good, has a real swagger about her and prances around like she knows she’s pretty good. So, it’s a dream result and I can’t thank Dave (Ellis) and Mark (Walker) enough for the opportunity they’ve given me. Dave buys the horses and syndicates them with Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and John (Galvin) slots in there as a very important part of our business with Fortuna.”Sharing that awe was John Galvin, the manager of the Fortuna Syndicate that races Melody Belle. “I know it might sound funny, but last night I dreamed she would do that,” Galvin said. “It’s just the way she’s racing, she gives you that level of confidence.”
“With a mare like her, it’s quite something to see her grow in confidence like she has just lately. Whichever you look at it, that was impressive.”
“She came into this race at the top of her game, she had trained on beautifully from her win here three weeks ago.
“She loves it. She knows she’s good, has a real swagger about her and prances around like she knows she’s pretty good. So, it’s a dream result and I can’t thank Dave (Ellis) and Mark (Walker) enough for the opportunity they’ve given me. Dave buys the horses and syndicates them with Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and John (Galvin) slots in there as a very important part of our business with Fortuna.”Sharing that awe was John Galvin, the manager of the Fortuna Syndicate that races Melody Belle. “I know it might sound funny, but last night I dreamed she would do that,” Galvin said. “It’s just the way she’s racing, she gives you that level of confidence.”
Claiming her third Group One victory, having won the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m), Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Eagle Farm, and Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m), the Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (Group 2,1200m) and now the Hawkes Bay Racing Group One Double of Tarzino Trophy and Windsor Park Plate, Champion Two-Year-Old Melody Belle recorded her eighth win from 15 starts, taking her earnings to $1,236,406 for the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate. Purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $57,500 during the premier session of the 2016 National Yearling Sale, Melody Belle is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate which is managed by long-time stable client, John Galvin. It is that trio of Ellis, Richards and Galvin who will now decide the next steps for the mare this season
John Galvin’s Interview re Melody Belle on Radio Trackside
Monday 3rd September John was interviewed by Des Coppins from Trackside Radio on Melody Belle’s Group One success in the Tarzino Trophy. Click HERE to hear the Audio Clip
HIDDEN PROMISE makes it 5 Wins in Singapore
6yo Gelding HIDDEN PROMISE (Postponed-Promissory) last saluted the judge on New Year’s Day – he had been racing consistently but without luck or winning success. However, that all changed Sunday 2nd of September at Singapore’s Kranji race track when a strong finish under a vigorous ride by Singapore Champion jockey, Vlad Duric, saw the horse take out the Kranji D Stakes event over 1600 metres by half a length and recording his 5th career win in Singapore from 27 starts with total prizemoney of S$155,000.
Click HERE to see Video replay
HIDDEN PROMISE scores 5th career win Kranji Racecourse – 2nd September 2018
The victory by HIDDEN PROMISE capped off a great weekend for John Galvin’s Fortuna Syndications team with their star 4yo Mare, MELODY BELLE winning the Group One Tarzino Trophy at Hastings on Saturday at Hastings and taking her career winnings to in excess of NZ$1.1m.
Trained by 2017 Singapore Champion Trainer, Mark Walker, HIDDEN PROMISE is raced by the Fortuna Hidden Promise Syndicate, an ownership group comprising 29 individuals and was purchased on behalf of Fortuna Syndications by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis at the 2014 Ready To Run Sale for $65,000 from the draft of Westbury Stud.
MELODY BELLE on song in the Group One Tarzino Trophy
The grit and determination of high-class galloper Melody Belle was plain for all to see at Hastings today as she triumphed in the season’s opening Group One feature, the Tarzino Trophy (1400m).
Beautifully handled by Malaysian-born rider Shafiq Rusof, the 4yo mare by Commands out of Meleka Belle justified her favourite’s tag for the contest when she held out the challenge of the well fancied Hiflyer in a desperate finish to the event.
The victory added a second win at the highest level in New Zealand for her owners, the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, managed by John Galvin, after she triumphed in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) as a two-year-old.
Click HERE to see race result and Video replay
MELODY BELLE too strong in Tarzino Trophy
The win was also the first Group One trophy for trainer Jamie Richards in his own right after he took over the reins at the powerful Te Akau Racing operation at the start of the new season.
“I’d just like to give a big thank you to all the staff at home,” Richards said. “Obviously there have been a few changes in the new season. I’m only the name in the book as I can’t do it all so this is a very emotional win and I’m very proud of the team.”
Richards was fulsome in his praise for Melody Belle who was having her second start in this campaign after winning the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa last month to kick off her four-year-old season.
“It was a terrific win and a terrific ride,” he said “We were really pleased how she came through the Te Rapa run. She’s a filly who loves being out in the paddock when she can, so we had a couple of fine days where we were able to get her out there.”
Richards was keen to see how the mare comes through her effort before deciding on her next challenge but wasn’t ruling out a tilt at the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) on the second day of the carnival.
“We’ll sit down now and have a talk with John Galvin,” he said.
Shafiq Rusof has made a favourable impression since returning to New Zealand in March this year following a successful stint in Singapore. He has come full circle to the country where he honed his craft as an apprentice jockey under Mark Walker’s tutelage at Te Akau Racing before following Walker to Singapore when he relocated in 2010.
“She is a superstar and a high-class horse who just gives everything to the line,” he said when questioned after the race. She did everything right although I was a bit worried when they came after her but when I asked she just kept giving.”
Syndicate Member Shane Thomsen, Melody Belle with Shafiq Rusof aboard and Strapper Teina Walters coming back to scale
Fortuna Syndications Director John Galvin was a proud man post race “She has developed into a fabulous race mare who has no quirks, she just gets out and does the job – I was involved in the ownership of Darci Brahma and I never thought I would have another one as good as him – she is not quite there yet, but she is giving his record a pretty good nudge. Watching the race from the Stand, I was surrounded by people I didn’t even know who were screaming her name the last 100 metres – it was a humbling experience – she is bringing so much joy to many people.” he said, “and what a fabulous training effort by Jamie Richards to have her right for this race given her tough run in the Foxbridge Plate just two weeks ago.”
Melody Belle, bred by Marie Leicester, is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, a grouping of 34 individuals and was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndications for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm. The victory takes her career earnings to over $1.1m from seven victories, with six of these at stakes level including the rich Listed Karaka Million (1200m) as a two-year-old.
Fortuna Syndicate Members celebrating post race
MELODY BELLE wins the Group 2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa in dramatic fashion
A nail-biting finish to the Group Two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday 18th August saw former top juvenile Melody Belle provide her trainer Jamie Richards with the perfect birthday present and provide yet another great racing thrill for her big group of Fortuna Syndicate Members
Race favourite Julius and Melody Belle set down to a pitched battle in the middle of the track over the final 200m as they cleared out from their rivals. Although somewhat dwarfed by the imposing frame of the favourite, Melody Belle and rider Shafiq Rusof refused to yield as she put her nose in front at the right time to snatch victory from a game Julius with veteran stayer Authentic Paddy storming home late for third.
Against a very good field in the $100,000 event, Melody Belle (4 m Commands – Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) reigned supreme. Winning a trial narrowly but well on 17 July at Te Rapa, when having her first sight of the course, Melody Belle was given a beautiful inch-perfect ride by Shafiq and was able to nail race favourite Julius (Swiss Ace), on the line, winning by a nose.
Click HERE to view race Video replay
Melody Belle wins the Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate 18th August 2018
Proficient with give in the ground, Melody Belle coped with the Slow 9 footing better than most, running the 1200 metres in 1:13.9 and last 600m in 36.9. In addition, she returned surprisingly generous odds on the NZ TAB tote: $9.40 & $3.00 – but the price was also a reflection in the depth of talent amongst her rivals.
As a Two-Year-Old, Melody Belle had won the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m), Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Awapuni, and Queensland Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Eagle Farm, Brisbane, in succession during her juvenile season, leading her to be crowned Champion Two Year Old of her Year. As a 3yo, she became the first Karaka Million winner since its inception in 2008 to win at the Karaka Million meeting a year on, when successful in the Mongolian Khan Trophy (Gr. 3, 1200m) in January at Ellerslie but had disappointed slightly in the latter stages of her three-year-old campaign when unplaced in two Sydney runs in the Autumn of 2018
In taking out the Foxbridge, Melody Belle recorded her sixth win from 13 starts and her 5th win at Stakes level, taking her earnings to $986,406 for the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate Managed by Fortuna Director John Galvin.
The win also marked a fantastic start to the solo training career of Jamie Richards, following three seasons in partnership with Stephen Autridge.
Melody Belle, bred by Marie Leicester, is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, a grouping of 34 individuals and was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndications for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm.